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The trees in Deep Woods grow close together, making it possible for a fledgling with lots of luck and determination to get quite far from the Minder’s enclave. Snowpeak’s young wings need lots of exercise yet, and unfortunately he was left unsupervised long enough to try to fly to that branch over there, and then glide to that other branch, and then try to get to the next tree over, and then onwards from there... The good news is that he didn’t crash to the ground on his journey, despite some near misses. The bad news is that his practicing took him out of sight of the enclave, and now he’s not sure which way is back.

Private Moonstride also has business in the area. She has been assigned the task to question the keeper Roguefeather about his missing Skurri. He has suffered some losses lately, losses that might not be just bad luck or the work of predators. The keeper suspects foul play and has called on the elites to investigate.

Moonstride’s Lani is left unsupervised at the moment and has been told to stay put while she question Roguefeather. It would be bad form to bring a predator into a keeper’s territory after all.

Snowpeak’s travels have brought him very close to the place where the Lani is perching, and the question is: who will notice the other first?

Specific details: The Lani is in clear view to Snowpeak and the bird should be able to notice the fledgling rather easily too. Moon is not far away (within earshot of the pair, if they cry out). She will soon find that there is disappointingly little evidence and she will not have much to report to her superiors, but the keeper might still be right in his suspicions.

There is a risk of injury in this scenario since a Lani can cause serious harm to a fledgling. It’s up to you to talk to each other about possible violence before it happens, remember: no injuries without consent! You can PM each other and the Herald if you want to discuss the possible turns of events before it happens. Also, if you would want any injury to happen, the Herald must be involved to determine how serious it is.

Moonstride shifted her wings in annoyance as Roguefeather seemed intent on forcing the opinion of an 'attack' on his missing Skurri. Although it was quite understandable for any keeper to keep that possibility open, the fact there was no significant signs of struggle, bloodshed, or possible witnesses within the perimeter left the case more or less deserted. However, since the frantic keeper seemed unable to leave the situation alone, the young elite had no choice but to search the area again.

Normally, Moon was very patient while taking a case however minor; however, the fact she left Rave, her mischievous Lani, unsupervised left her slightly anxious. He was no fool to attack anything he wasn’t permitted to; although, she also knew he was an extremely territorial and aggressive bird and even the finest could be led astray.

Meanwhile, Rave had settled quietly on a branch a good distance away from the keeper’s territory. His sharp eyes darted around out of habit and instinct. Moonstride gave him the order to 'stay here' which was very simple and easy to process; then again, who knew what would happen to any unfortunate soul who managed to stray into his 'here'.

Suddenly, a hoot could be heard from the side; quickly, he hopped around to get a better look at the intruder. His feathers tightening against his body and his beady little eyes starred down the fledgling. With barely a rustle of the branch, he dove off his perch to investigate. Recognizing the figure as a sentinel, his body swerved upwards in case the creature had an idea in its head that he might be a possible meal. Rave, however, didn’t seem to recognize Snowpeak as a fledgling, harmless and barely able to sustain a good flight. Therefore, as a warning in the form of a piercing screech was heard from the Lani as he circled above the fledgling.

The sound of Snowpeak's shout caused the Lani to let out another screech before swooping down and landing on a branch fairly close to the fledgling. He glared at the larger creature for a moment. Rave understood the 'stop' and generously complied out of curiosity towards the snow colored sentinel. Unfortunately, for the other, the little Lani had a tendency to cause trouble in Moonstride's absence. Without a warning, the small predator swooped down and swept by a few wingspans above the fledgling's head. He gave a warning cry as he passed and then landed on a branch on the opposite side. It was clear now that Rave had decided that he wasn't happy with Snowpeak's presence but to depart himself would contradict Moonstride's command to 'stay'. Therefore, chasing the sentinel away was concluded as acceptable.

While on her search, Moon had slowed her flight at the sound of a scream echoing faintly through the woods. That can't be… and, seconds later, another was heard. By now, Moonstride had confirmed the screeches to be Lani's warning calls. Apparently, the useless little bird (fondly addressed) had found himself something rather troublesome. Moon decided this was a good time to call off the search and head back to investigate what Rave was up to. After all, it was doubtful she would gather enough information even if she continued her search.

Rave could talk. Moonstride made sure of that. However, the little Lani had something against talking to 'other' sentinels. The proud creature saw it below his 'status' to associate with them the same fashion he communicated with Moon. Then again, it seemed the fledgling would not understand him any other way. Playing? Rave does not play… whatever that meant. Moonstride had never used that word but he was pretty sure he didn't do any of this 'playing' business. He paused for a moment, debated what to do.

His dark, untrusting eye followed the white figure's movement for a moment before he swooped onto a closer branch. Finally, the bird huffed arrogantly at the fledgling and offered only one commanding word: "Leave."

Rave was one of the proudest little creatures out there and he wasn't about to back down. He took on larger sentinels before… although it was technically in the presence of Moonstride. He glared with his dark eyes as the fledgling threw aside his generous warning. Then the way the sentinel snapped at him and displayed aggression made the Lani all the angrier. This sentinel will learn to mind its manners before him.

The Lani took off from the branch and circled Snowpeak once, looking for signs of weakness. Then, as effortless as ever, he was just about to tuck his wings in and prepare for an attack, talons ready and deadly.

Suddenly, a large sentinel shot out from the woods at top speed. Her cold blue eyes swirled and locked onto the Lani. With silent, sweeping flaps of her large wings, she shot towards the unsuspecting predator with full intentions of knocking in out of the air. However, Rave caught her figure in time and, with frantic flapping, managed to swerve away from her in fear. He knew very well who it was and that she had no problem showing her displeasure at his antics.

The larger sentinel then made her way back around to get a better look at the 'disturbance': a Fledgling. Moonstride landed on a branch close to Snowpeak.
"My apologies for my Lani's rudeness."

It slowly sunk into Moonstride's brain that she had frightened the fledgling somewhat with her sudden appearance. She had thought of apologizing since courtesy usually called for it; however, Snowpeak beat her to the punch. As he spoke, she remained very still and quiet, a habit of hers that sometimes unnerves others. It was often hard to tell if she was looking down at others, sympathizing with them, or just staring.

"Perhaps you were," came her blunt reply.
She looked away as he asked his question and it was difficult to tell if she heard him or not. She seemed to be looking for something more commonly known as Rave. Now where did that little bird go?

Rave had taken shelter in a nearby tree a good way away from the two sentinels. By the looks of things, it would be wiser on his part to keep his distance until Moonstride's boiling temper settled a little. Although the Elite female looked quite calm and composed at the moment, the Lani knew better. She was obviously looking for him but without a direct order for him to come out, he decided it would be better for his well-being to remain out of sight.

"Lani," Moonstride finally replied after a moment of looking away. She turned her steady blue eyes towards the white fledgling. "He's my idiotic companion. His name's Rave. Did he hurt you?"

Moonstride gave an inner sigh of relief. The last thing she needed was a report running in about how her Lani attacked a defenseless fledgling. Speaking of the fledgling, this one seemed curious… or maybe that's how they all are. Considering she has never had to interact with one for an extended period of time, Moon felt a little unsure of herself which was very uncommon.

"Better indeed. Those little companions are always getting themselves eaten," She sounded slightly exasperated probably from her recent assignment regarding the missing Skurri.

"Oh this?" She lifted a wing to show her mark better. Moon seemed more relax now, talking about something she was closely associated with. "I'm surprised you don't know. Then again, not many sentinels are seen with them. It shows the rank of Elite. In my case, I'm a private."

Moonstride tilt her head in amusement at the fledgling as he starting spewing out question. She appeared thoughtful for a moment, debating on how to answer his questions. "The skills of an Elite are as varied as the sentinel population since nearly anyone can become an Elite. You could even be an Elite when you grow up."

She then looked away again. "About time you come down here, Rave," the female called to the trees. The small form of the predator instantly shot out from the green leaves and brown bark and made his way down to the branch Moon was currently perched on. With silent, graceful sweeps of his wings, he landed obediently next to the adult sentinel. Despite his calm and compliant demeanor his dark eyes settled on the ashen fledgling and glared.

"Few have these troublesome creatures. I just can't stand other companions. I guess they are quite good hunters."